Placement Testing

All Placement Testing must be taken by June 1. Students who fail to take their placement tests may not be able to register for fall classes during Pirate Adventure. Some students need to take placement tests in English, math and/or a foreign language in order to be placed in the correct course level. Testing is based upon your SAT or ACT score as well as your major. EOP students need to contact the EOP Center for Learning, Instruction and Assessment at (973) 761-9161 to arrange for on-campus testing.

How does Placement Testing Work?

When you log in to PirateNet to confirm your attendance, you will see the tests you will be required to take. Each test has a link to the online testing.

The math placement test is progressive and timed; students must pass one part to continue on to the next level.

If you plan on studying the same language you took in high school, you are required to take the language placement test. Students taking the Spanish language placement test will need a microphone on their computers.

Can I take my placement test(s) on campus?

Yes. Placement testing will be available on campus (Fahy Hall 202) during the following days/times. Please note: the last test starts at 2:30 p.m. To schedule your on campus placement test, please contact Jacqueline DeBenedetto at jacqueline.debenedetto@student.shu.edu

Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday, May 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 12, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Math Placement Testing

The Math and Computer Science department offers a wide variety of math courses and has established placement procedures to place students in courses commensurate with their skill level and requirements for their career goals.

Students are placed into their math class based on their SAT Math score and the results of the Math Placement. Students who score below 680 on their SAT Math score or below 33 on their ACT score are required to take the Math Placement Tests. Students above 680 on their SAT Math or above 33 on their ACT score will be automatically placed into the Math class for their major.

Information about the Math Placement Tests:

Each test consists 25 questions you need to answer within 45 minutes in a single sitting.

You must take the test on your own, without books, and without help. You may use a calculator.

Before taking a test, make sure you have pencil and scrap paper available and that you have sufficient amount of time without interruption and distraction.

You will need to be using Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer to take the test.

The Placement Test is a series of progressive parts. When you have received a passing grade for one part, you will then be able to move onto the next level test. Each part of the test needs to be taken in a single sitting. You cannot save the test and continue at another time.

Each part must be done in a single sitting. Do not start the part of the test unless you know you can finish it in the allotted time.

Need help with Math Placement Testing?

If you have any questions about taking the test, please email
MathPlacement.

If you prefer to take the placement test on-campus, please call Freshman Studies at (973) 275-2091.

If you are having problems with Blackboard (the testing website), please call the Help Desk at (973) 275-2222.

English Placement Survey

It used to be that you would take a set of three placement tests over a two-hour period, and the English Department would determine the best course for you to take. Many colleges around the country are now using a new system, called "directed self-placement," which makes students part of the placement process. In fact, you will actually choose which writing course you take. However, if you have a writing SAT score of 550 or higher, you do not have to take the English Placement Test. You will be placed in College English I.

The Directed Self-Placement is a series of exercises and questions that will help you evaluate yourself as a reader and writer and help you decide which first-year writing course is best for you. You will need about 1 1/2 hours to complete the survey, but it is not timed. Take it when your mind and body are fresh and rested. Steps 1 and 2 will help you evaluate your reading and writing background. (You will be asked to read a brief article and write a short essay at one point.) Steps 3 and 4 will describe the choices you can make and will help you match your background with the best course for you. In step 5, you will choose your course.

When you click on the English Placement link in the Pirate Adventure portal, you will be asked to log in again with the credentials you have used to log into the portal.
Please realize that if you don't do all the steps carefully you may place yourself in the wrong course or you may be asked to take parts of the survey over again, making it harder to get the schedule you want. So do it right the first time! If you have any questions or problems, please contact
Prof. Ed Jones.

Language Placement Testing

If your major requires a foreign language (if "Take language placement test" is listed in PirateNet when you log in), you have two options:

Study a new language (one you have not taken in school or do not speak in social or work situations),

Continue to study a language you know (one you have studied in school or that you speak in social or work situations).

If you choose option 1, do not take the placement test for that language. During your Pirate Adventure, you will register for the first course in the sequence for that language. Inform your mentor/advisor that you plan to study a new language.

If you choose option 2, you must take a placement test for that language.

Language placement tests are available in the following languages:

Arabic

Chinese

French

German

Italian

Japanese

Latin

Russian

Spanish (test requires your computer to have a microphone.)

Follow the instructions in PirateNet to complete your foreign language placement test. All students will start with a Language Survey. After completing the Language Survey, the links for the individual language placement tests and additional instructions will appear.

Note: Please take your language placement test 2-3 weeks before your Pirate Adventure or Orientation. If you take your placement test late, your results may not be processed in time for registration.